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Woman Sends Handwritten Notes To Strangers In Need

Woman Sends Handwritten Notes To Strangers In Need

Jodi Ann Bickley started her amazing project, One Million Lovely Letters, four years ago.

Rachel Andrews

Rachel Andrews

A woman who sends handwritten letters to strangers has opened up on her touching project, which aims to help others in need.

Writer Jodi Ann Bickley began One Million Lovely Letters after she began struggling with suicidal thoughts herself.

After seeing an app on her phone that made her laugh, Jodi decided to set up this incredibly heartwarming letter project and the response has been massive.

Appearing on Radio 4's Saturday Live show at the weekend, Jodi explained: "I thought, if I'm in this horrible moment and I can just crawl a little bit with this laughter, then maybe there's someone out there who's feeling a bit rubbish too, and maybe I can help them."

Recalling the moment she set up One Million Lovely Letters four years ago, the writer continued: "I set up a website saying if you're having a really rough time, email me and I'll hand-write you a letter.

"I thought one person would reply and overnight, 200 did."

Jodi's been inundated with over 12,000 requests since the project began in 2014. She's released two books and has a team of helpers. Her story has been documented on the BBC's Amazing Humans too.

She said: "I'm making a gift for somebody, something to be treasured. When someone has written a letter specifically for you, and has dedicated that time to you, it makes you feel special and seen.

"In a world where we're so fast-paced and almost invisible to one another, a letter is a way of saying, 'I see you and I care for you', and I think that's really important."

Jodi often receives long letters from people who have written her 'pages and pages' about their lives.

"Every single letter request I get through is a life story, it's not just someone saying, 'Oh, I'm sad'," she explained. "These people will have written me pages and pages about their lives."

Jodie added: "To write them a letter back is a privilege. It sounds really cheesy to say out loud but I feel lucky to be able to connect with them."

You can find out more about One Million Lovely Letters here.

Anyone who feels like they need to speak to someone can call Samaritans at any time of the day for free on 116 123.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Jodi Ann Bickley

Topics: Life News, Real